Premier League darts returns and Phil Taylor has a point to prove

Premier League Darts is back as Michael van Gerwen looks to cement his place at the top of the tree.

Last Updated: 20/01/14 10:40am

Taylor: hoping for Premier League redemption

The Dutch prodigy secured his first Ladbrokes World Championship title in January by beating Peter Wright in the final and will be keen to rubber-stamp his superiority in this format.

Van Gerwen won the Premier League at his first attempt last year - overcoming arch-rival Phil Taylor 10-8 in a thrilling final having topped the table in the 'regular season' with some impressive consistency.

Taylor, who has won no fewer than 16 world titles, suffered a shock second-round exit at Alexandra Palace - falling 4-3 to Michael Smith - and will be desperate to re-establish himself as world number one by claiming a seventh Premier League Darts title.

Defeated world finalist Peter Wright is an interesting entrant in this year's tournament. The colourful dresser, who lives in Mendham in Suffolk, was fearless in forcing a showdown with Van Gerwen and is surely a live outsider in the Premier League format.

Alongside mainstays such as Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld, also joining the 10-strong party is St Helens' Dave Chisnall, a world championship runner-up in 2010.

PDC chairman Barry Hearn said of the line-up: "There is always going to be debate and discussion over which players are included but the Wildcards chosen both by ourselves and Sky Sports provide a great mix of quality, experience and personalities."